A brother and sister admitted to stealing $90,000 from New York State. The money was intended to assist people who were struggling to pay their rent during COVID.
Shaleen Mahtani, 56, and Denesh Melwani, 58, pled guilty in Albany County Court to grand larceny.
According to prosecutors, the couple purchased a Brooklyn condo for $1.6 million in 2018.
Three years later, prosecutors allege that they fraudulently claimed Melwani was Mahtani’s renter and demanded back rent. Then they divided the money that the state had given them.
Melwani’s sentencing date is slated for April, while Mahtani’s is scheduled for August.
